Spaghetti-framed Monster!

While in school, I had a Hercules MTB cycle; our watchman asked us if he could have it 8 years ago when it was rusted to bits, which we agreed to. It was metallic black in colour, was the last bicycle I owned and the last time I saw it, parts were falling off like crumbs falling off a slice of bread.

A few months ago, while I was walking down a road I saw a boy beaming from ear to ear astride a brand new bicycle, which had a spaghetti-like frame and stickers randomly splattered all over the little area, that metal tubes can offer. I went home and googled to delightfully find, that bicycle manufacturers were up to date with neat websites – neat implying a clear picture along with the features of the bicycle. I decided that I was going to buy a bike with gears and probably suspension too as I had never owned one like that before. I zeroed in on the model and went to the BSA shop in Velachery. It’s a powder-coated black and silverish grey colour camouflaged by some multi-coloured labeling. And it’s more spaghetti-like, standard triangles like my first cycle seem less common now.

The shops was pretty good but what I find most hideous is that they didn’t give a test ride. How can you buy a bicycle without knowing if you are going to feel comfortable on it? I solved this quirk, by riding one of the cycles that had been left there for servicing. We stuffed the bike in my car, after folding the rear seats flat and went home.

I called up Kumar, “Mama! Guess what! I am now the proud owner of a HERCULES RYDER ACT 104 WITH 18 GEARS AND FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION!” (with chest out and shoulders high speaking in a tone akin to a 1960’s commentator in a horse race). My friend by the way does not particularly prefer any type of transport, so he wasn’t particularly enthused when I was describing my bicycle in superbike-humbling fashion. However, the bicycle is neat, though the gear shifting is not niggle free as it is not possible at times to engage each gear. Also, if you plan to buy yourself a cycle, may I just add not to expect any bum-cosseting ride even though you might talk about the front and rear suspension with great gusto, especially if you are accustomed to using motorised two-wheelers, whose seats can cover at least half your ass print. The last two-wheeler I rode was an Enfield, which has a seat wide enough for a Sumo wrestler. So my knowledge of comfort or the lack of it was irrelevant when riding my new bicycle. But it is a fun and uncomplicated experience which you must re-discover, if you have been out of it for years like me.

Another thing that I have realised is that, bicycle marketing seems to have learnt a lot from car and bike marketing. Their idea of customer centricity has almost amused me. I just got off the phone an hour back. On the other end was a woman who was calling from TI cycles asking me if she could send a mechanic home tomorrow to complete my second free service .

In the 5.5K that I spent on the bike, I got a warranty card with two free services in the first 90 days. Appreciable and amusing in the same breath I guess, considering it’s just a cycle but I feel it’s showing a good effort on their part. If there is anything short now, then it is the need of a test ride in the show room. Does it not sound rudimentary that you should be allowed to ride a bike before buying it to find out if the frame size, riding position etc. suits your needs? I would definitely not like to go through physical exertion in an uncomfortable position!